Joanne Cestaro, a partner in our Crown Court team, recently represented a client in a complex case at Luton Crown Court. The client faced serious charges of attempting sexual communication with a child and attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. These offences, due to their nature, typically carry severe penalties under current sentencing guidelines.
The case arose from an online child activist group. This group employed a decoy to engage our client in sexualised communication, leading to his subsequent arrest and charges.
Our client, acknowledging the gravity of his actions, fully accepted responsibility for the offences. Under normal circumstances, these charges would place him at a starting point of 3 years’ imprisonment according to sentencing guidelines.
Joanne enlisted the expertise of George Dugbo, a highly regarded barrister from Lamb Building. Together, they crafted a comprehensive mitigation strategy designed to present our client in the most favourable light possible, given the circumstances.
Their approach was multifaceted and thorough. It involved obtaining detailed character references and evidence of rehabilitative programmes completed by our client.
This meticulous preparation and attention to detail in the sentencing phase proved to be the turning point in the case. The defence team’s efforts were instrumental in persuading the court to consider an alternative to immediate imprisonment, which was a suspended sentence order.
This case serves as a prime example of how thorough preparation, expert legal representation, and a strategic approach to mitigation can significantly impact sentencing decisions, even in cases involving serious offences. If you or someone you know is facing similar charges, don’t hesitate to contact Lawtons today.
